[3] The genus name Stercorarius is Latin and means "of dung"; the food disgorged by other birds when pursued by skuas was once thought to be excrement.

[4] This species is unmistakable as an adult, with grey back, dark primary wing feathers without a white "flash", black cap and very long tail.

During the breeding season (summer in arctic regions, often in mountainous areas) it feeds mainly on lemmings near nesting sites.

The bird species most commonly "robbed" this way by the long-tailed jaeger are arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) and sabine’s gulls (Larus sabini).

Passage juvenile birds sometimes hunt small prey in ploughed fields or golf-courses, and are typically quite fearless of humans.